Bar Standards Board says there is “no realistic prospect” of Carine Patry and
David Sherborne being found guilty of professional misconduct

A legal watchdog has dismissed a complaint against two barristers involved in the Leveson inquiry who had an affair.

The Bar Standards Board (BSB) looked into the conduct of Carine Patry and David Sherborne after it was alleged that the relationship could have compromised the inquiry into Press standards.

The board announced in a statement that there was “no realistic prospect” of Miss Patry, a member of the inquiry team, and Mr Sherborne, who represented celebrities complaining about the Press, being found guilty of professional misconduct.

There is no appeal against the decision and the BSB will only reconsider the case if new evidence is brought to light.

Conservative MP Rob Wilson had described the barristers’ affair as “completely inappropriate”.

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According to a professional code of conduct opposing lawyers should avoid affairs in case it is perceived there is a danger of breach of confidence or conspiracy.

The BSB spokesman said: “The complaints about David Sherborne and Carine Patry were considered by the Bar Standards Board’s professional conduct committee following an investigation.

“The committee concluded that there was no realistic prospect that a disciplinary tribunal would make a finding of professional misconduct in relation to any of the aspects of complaint and the complaints were dismissed.”

Lord Justice Leveson has previously rejected calls for an inquiry, claiming there was “simply no room” for a “breach of confidence or other conspiracy” as a result of personal relations.

Mr Wilson, the MP for Reading East, said the decision brough the BSB's credibility into question.

"This whole process has been nothing other than a complete whitewash," he said.

"The timing of the decision, just before the Christmas break, is a deeply cynical if rather predictable attempt by the board to bury its dirty work while no one is looking.

"This shambles marks the final nail in the coffin of the Bar Standards Board’s credibility.

"It is ironic that a legal inquiry into the self-regulation of the press ends up exposing the complete inadequacy of the regulation of the legal profession itself.”

In August last year, four months before the end of the inquiry, the pair went on holiday to the Greek island of Santorini where they “discussed the possibility” of a future relationship but decided against it.

Miss Patry, who is now divorced and was formerly known by the surname Patry Hoskins, was paid £218,606 for her work between July 2011 and November 2012.